Who's running for MP in Erith and Thamesmead at the 2017 general election?

Britain goes to the polls on June 8

With the general election just weeks away, the candidates vying for a seat in Erith and Thamesmead have been revealed.

Following a scramble to get candidates after Theresa May’s shock snap-election announcement last month, all of the country’s major parties have entered a candidate to compete in the constituency, which is the only constituency in Bexley to be held by Labour.

Since the seat was created in 1997, it has remained under Labour control, first under John Austin and then under Teresa Pearce since 2010.

The candidates standing in Erith and Thamesmead for the general election on June 8 are:

· Edward Baxter (Conservative)

Mr Baxter has served as a councillor, school governor and volunteer advisor to small businesses and an African business school. He is a businessman, working with manufacturing and energy companies, and is married with a toddler. He said: “I am standing with Theresa May because only she will get the best Brexit deal possible to deliver economic security – crucial for our jobs and investment. Every single vote for Theresa and me will strengthen our country’s negotiating position – anything else will weaken the UK. As we get Brexit right, we will use this time to build a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Britain. We need prosperity to improve education, healthcare and the infrastructure of Erith and Thamesmead – to make our housing and transport links excellent. I am proud to be a powerful voice for your needs and will get things done with your vote.”

· Ronie Johnson (Ukip)

Mr Johnson says he’s “standing up for real change”. He became a Ukip supporter because they have “no party whips” which means he also has “complete freedom to act solely for you. Like many, I see little difference between the usual parties. I’ve had enough of the mess being in the EU has brought, and we don’t want another five years of the same.” He’s campaigning for Australian-style boarder controls, an extra £3 billion investment in the NHS per year, and a fairer tax system.

· Temi Olodo (Christian Peoples Alliance)

Mr Olodo said he’s a part of the Christian Peoples Alliance because “we don’t just talk about helping the poor we do it and we do a lot of research into what we believe are the right policies for the nation.” Speaking of the party’s national manifesto he said “the electorates want to punish the mainstream parties for taking diability benefits away from mentally ill people, spending billions of pounds on Trident which is a weapon of mass destruction, allowing big companies like Google and Facebook to get away with paying little or no tax, and allowing 186,000 babies per year to be killed in their mother’s womb and in many cases funding it.”

· Teresa Pearce (Labour)

MP for Erith and Thamesmead since 2010, Ms Pearce was previously a local councillor in Erith, and a school governor both at Castillion Primary in Thamesmead and Townley Grammar in Bexleyheath. The mum--of-two and grandmother-of-five, has previously campaigned on local issues such as fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour, Housing Associations’ service charges, lack of diability access at Erith Rail Station, and the impact of the Crossrail development to the regeneration across Abbey Wood, and Thamesmead. She said: “In June local residents face a choice between a Labour party who will stand up for you and a Tory Party who are failing working people. Labour will stand up for you by investing for a better Britain, offer the health and social care services people need and providing the homes that people can afford.”

· Simon Waddington (Liberal Democrat)

For more than a decade Mr Waddington has been a local campaigner for the Liberal Democrats. The family man, from Britsol, who works in the field of international communications says he’s standing in Erith and Thamesmead because “this important and historic region of London is due hard-working representation, as well as a set of values and principles in tune with modern Britain.” He also stood for the constituencey in the 2015 general election.

· Doro Oddiri (Independent)

Mr Oddiri describes himself as “easy going, with liberal political views, humorous, God fearing, too candid and blunt.” He will be campaigning for a reduction of corporation tax, more funding for the NHS, more funding for new schools but with fewer faith schools, the right of British citizens in the EU and EU citizens in the UK, and an upgrade of Trident missile.

· Claudine Letsae (Green Party)

Has been contacted, but awaiting reply.

At the last election, Labour held with 49.8 per cent while the Conservatives finished second, losing ground on Labour to a then-rising Ukip, who finished third.

The Liberal Democrats finished fourth, with the Greens behind them, then the Christian Peoples Alliance and the English Democrats finishing last.

Stay on our website to find out more about the candidates and for full election build-up.